Barcelona Weekend Break

Safety precautions in Barcelona and any major city

Regrettably, most major tourist cities have their fair share of pick-pockets and opportunist thieves and Barcelona is no different, however you can avoid placing your possessions at risk.

The first thing to point out is that most visitors to Barcelona do not encounter any problems with crime and that being vigilant and avoiding taking unnecessary bags with you will make you less vulnerable.

If you have to take a bag with you make sure that it is small, that it does not have a quick release strap or buckle (like many bum and belly bags) and keep all compartments closed. Do not carry the bag over your shoulder with the bag compartment hanging behind you. Keep the body of the bag under your arm where you can feel it.

However, avoid bags if at all possible.

Also try to put your mindset in that of the pick-pockets. They see what they do as a job and you are not a victim to them, but a financial opportunity. They have no respect, care or sympathy for you, and if you give them a chance to make some money they will take it. They will see you as being casual, lazy and at fault and they will not feel any remorse or guilt. Remember this and you will stop yourself being a target

The most common kind of tourist theft

Most crime in Barcelona relates to steeling bags or their contents in what appears to be an opportunist manner.

In reality, this is not opportunist at all, but rather a carefully planned and frequently used system and it is one that you can avoid if you keep one thing in mind.

Beware of any stranger who tries to talk to you.

This is a ploy that is used to distract you and capture your full attention whilst another individual raids your bag.

In order for this to work the person who tries to speak to you will be an unlikely partner in crime. This means that he or she may be very old or even very smartly dressed. The idea is to put you off your guard.

The solution is to ignore anyone who you do not know whilst immediately having warning bells go off if a stranger tries to attract your attention. The best action is to leave that area quickly whilst ensuring that your possessions are secure.

Regrettably my own mother has suffered this very clever kind of theft and, although there is no physical threat or danger, it can taint or ruin an otherwise successful holiday.

Why have you been targeted?

You have been targeted because you are giving off all of the signals of being a vulnerable tourist or someone on a weekend break or short trip. One way to reduce the dangers of tourist crime still further is to try not to give off the appearance of being a tourist.

This means that walking around with a large camera hanging around your neck and having a full to overflowing bag hanging loosely from your shoulder sends out one signal. I am a tourist and I am not being vigilant.

Try to avoid this visual statement. Keep your camera out of sight when not in use and keep wallets and purses in inside pockets.

If you have a rental car, keep it locked at all times - even when you are in it. Refuse any rental car that is a hatchback if it lacks a rear tail or compartment cover. You do not want your possessions to be visible.

Never leave bags, cameras or anything that could be stolen on a seat – even if you are in the vehicle.

When in the car try not to have tourist give-aways like maps in view.

If anyone other than a police officer tries to get you to stop your car or lower a window, ignore them and drive on.

If you have a puncture, do not accept help in changing the tire and try to pull up in a busy area and not the first available stopping spot.

Beware of motorcyclists if you have a puncture. There is a scam where a motorcyclist punctures a tyre without the driver’s knowledge, follows the car and then offers help when the car stops. Whilst this is happening a second person raids the car and you don’t even know it. This is a rare occurrence, and it is based on you stopping at the first available pull-in (normally a siding) where the actual thief lies in wait.

One final and very important point to emphasise is that whilst Barcelona does have a pick-pocket problem, Barcelona does not have a personal safety problem. When it comes to your physical safety, anyone on a Barcelona break is probably safer in this city than just about any other city in Europe.